Ford are looking to their heritage with a 2017 Ford Torino

By Justin Patterson1 Nov 2016

There is lots of speculation as to whether the 2017 Ford Torino is actually happening, and although we haven’t yet seen any hard evidence, it still could happen, just a little later than we first expected.

The original Torino was produced by Ford between 1968 – 76, a relatively short life-span, but that’s mainly down to the gas crisis of the 70’s – these big muscle cars were shockingly bad when it came to gas mileage, often getting <10 MPG when driven as they should be.

But in that time, the Torino was a success, even being used by Ford as the basis for their NASCAR racer, it dominated the series for a couple of years before Dodge took up the fight. But will the new Torino be a proud successor to the legend of the original?

Will The 2017 Ford Torino Get Multiple Engine Options?

There are at least two options available to Ford for powertrain; the first and easiest option is to fit the already proven engines from the Mustang lineup – starting with the 5.0 liter VCT V8 from the GT (435 BHP) up to the GT350 setup from Shelby – 5.2 liter V8 (520 BHP).

Or perhaps they could fit the new range of EcoBoost engines like the 3.5 liter twin turbo V6 (400 BHP) or even have something developed specifically for the Torino.

There is also a rumor surrounding the use of a smaller engine – a 2.7 liter twin-turbo with 300 BHP and 340 lb/ft of torque. Whichever motor(s) gets fitted, it’s more than likely going to be coupled to an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, thanks to emissions legislations. We also think that the new Torino will be rear-wheel drive only, although some are saying that it could be all-wheel drive – we don’t think that’s going to happen for two reasons – the first is gas mileage and the second being that a modern day ‘muscle’ car just needs to be rear-wheel drive – smoking burnouts and drifting are all part of the fun.

The 2017 Ford Torino Will Need To Be Special

The 2017 Torino will compete with the likes of the Dodge Challenger and European sports coupes, but it must be said that Ford will need to up their game if they want to take on the Europeans – more often than not, you’ll find that a great American car is let-down slightly by the trim materials – the plastic always feels more … plasticy, it looks cheaper and generally just doesn’t compete.

We aren’t saying that all American cars are like that, but it’s a detail that often gets overlooked – it seems as though the budget gets blown on plenty-o-horsepower which leaves the interior designers wondering how they’ll make it look nice on the inside.

We’d like to see a well-tailored interior using a nice black leather, supportive (but not race car style) seating and a sprinkling of technology that doesn’t make it feel as though you’re behind the controls of a spacecraft – traditional but unobtrusive technology.

Is It Likely To Happen?

If a new Torino will be put in to production, we wouldn’t see it in the showrooms before late-2017, although in all likelihood, it could well run into next year. No spy shots have been released of a new model that could be a Torino, so perhaps they really just are at the mock-up stage – we’d like to think that Ford could just surprise us with a new model, but we all know that could never happen in this age of social media and smartphones.

Given the market that a new Torino would be looking at entering, we would think that it will sit around the sort of price as the Shelby Mustang, perhaps $60,000 for the entry level model, although we have heard that Ford could be looking at introducing a less-expensive version – this would no doubt be using the 2.7 liter twin-turbo V6 rather than a V8; prices for this model could be up to $20,000 less – think around the $40,000 mark and you won’t be far wrong.

Retro, Of Course

There is no information available about a new Torino; nothing from Ford or even the automotive insiders, so any renderings are purely hypothetical, done from what people would like to see.

However, you’d have to put money on any new Torino having a retro style look to it; something that shows the heritage without being ‘old school’.

One thing we do know though; if Ford do release a new Torino, it will be packed with technology and styling.

We can’t make any guesses as to what the new Torino will look like, aside from being ‘retro’, but our money would be on Ford trying to incorporate some styling elements from the original, but of course updated for this modern age – exactly as they have done with the Mustang, or as Dodge have done with the new Charger. Having said all of that, it could be that Ford just introduce a two-door version of the Fusion and call that a Torino.

Tech

One thing is for sure – if Ford do release the new Torino, you can guarantee that it will be packed with all the latest developments from Ford’s big box of goodies; updated (and practical) aerodynamics, full LED front and rear lighting, active and passive safety systems such as pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane assist with steering, park assist, rear-view camera, rear cross-traffic alerts … everything you’d expect from a modern car without being too intrusive.

We should also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone connectivity, along with the usual Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB ports.

The Ford Torino started life as a larger version of the Fairlane, all the way back in 1968. The model range consisted of a sedan, station wagon and 2-door versions like the hardtop, fastback coupe and convertible.
There was also a high performance version, the GT. The second generation was released in 1970 and had further options. And in case you’re wondering – the name Torino comes from the City of Turin – Torino in Italian.

Should Ford put the new Torino into production? Let us know in the comments.

CarsInTrend.com

Comments

Lynched1

Stop it! Not going to happen.

John

It doesn’t “need” to be rwd. Providing part time 4wd or an option for AWD gives better traction and more nationwide appeal. A Torino or mustang in AWD would be my next car, right now it will be a challenger GT or a Subaru. Why? Because living in a mountainous part of the snow belt makes anything else a poor choice.

Editor's rating

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